Editorial: Three cheers to thrift, education and jazz

To the anonymous donor who gave $500 to Meals On Wheels of Greater Poughkeepsie. Betsy Kinkade, a spokesperson for the organization, said the very welcome money could provide 22 meals for clients; or a month's worth of fresh food and vegetables for clients; or half a month's rent on the kitchen they lease. Kinkade said the anonymous donor (not unknown to her) believes the program to truly be worthwhile. Apparently, they did their research and decided Meals On Wheels would use the funds responsibly.

Meals On Wheels of Greater Poughkeepsie is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year - as they do everything, quietly, with little fanfare, and using every penny they get toward the meals they serve.

To the Bard Prison Initiative, which was awarded a $500,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to support its mission: to offer a high-quality liberal arts education to imprisoned men and women. Founded in 1999, the program has awarded 250 degrees to and educated more than 500 students and is the largest program of its kind in the United States. It offers approximately 55 courses each semester at five New York state maximum and medium security prisons - the rate of post-release employment among the program's participants is high and recidivism is stunningly low.

"The impact of higher education on incarcerated individuals in our society is transformational," said Jeannie Oakes, director of the Educational Opportunity and Scholarship programs at the Ford Foundation.

To Arlington Central School District's the Jazz Machine, a sizzling ensemble from Arlington High School, led by Richard Guillen, which recently won first-place honors at the Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Festival for the fourth time in the last five years.

The Jazz Machine performed four pieces: They opened their set with the Stanley Turrentine tune "Sugar." Next was Duke Ellington's "Concerto for Cootie," featuring Schuyler Kieley on trumpet; followed by Harry Connick Jr.'s "Come By Me," featuring senior vocalist Myles Mancuso. They closed with Horace Silver's "Nutville."

The group will also perform at 7 p.m. May 15 at the Arlington Jazz Cabaret at the high school in LaGrange and at 7 p.m. May 20 at District Jazz Night also at the high school.

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Editorial: Three cheers to thrift, education and jazz

To the anonymous donor who gave $500 to Meals On Wheels of Greater Poughkeepsie.